Like the Comet

My goodness the summer is just flying by, and the month of August was a busy one!

I went to a wedding, went camping, got to stick my feet in Lake Michigan for the first time in two years :’), attended a Detroit Tigers game, started dating again, unpacked some dating related baggage in therapy that I didn’t realize I’ve been holding onto for about 10 years, damn near melted from the heat and humidity, and more! :D

Along with all the things I did in that list, I also ended up reading a lot more books than I expected to. So, let’s get into it!

*All summaries are taken or paraphrased from Goodreads.

THE BROMANCE BOOK CLUB by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: The first rule of book club: You don’t talk about book club. Nashville Legends second baseman Gavin Scott’s marriage is in major league trouble. He’s recently discovered a humiliating secret: his wife Thea has always faked the Big O. When he loses his cool at the revelation, it’s the final straw on their already strained relationship. Thea asks for a divorce, and Gavin realizes he’s let his pride and fear get the better of him. Distraught and desperate, Gavin finds help from an unlikely source: a secret romance book club made up of Nashville’s top alpha men. With the help of their current read, a steamy Regency title Courting the Countess, the guys coach Gavin on saving his marriage. But it’ll take a lot more than flowery words and grand gestures for this hapless Romeo to find his inner hero and win back the trust of his wife.

My Thoughts: Y’all. This was such a cute book. The premise was so unique, and I loved how the author basically created this hypothetical rom-com around what would happen if men started taking notes from the “book boyfriends” we bookworms tend to swoon over lol. This page turner was repeatedly entertaining, a little steamy, and a really heartwarming experience depicting the reality of how much work a marriage takes. The pacing was phenomenal, and every scene served a purpose to move the plot along, but the ending was pretty predictable. Although I didn’t absolutely love either main character, I adored the connection they shared and it was hard not to root for both of them. The one aspect of this story that really stood out to me and I appreciated was all of the call-outs about toxic-masculinity and its effect on how men communicate - because that shit is real. So, yeah. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and definitely recommend it if you’re looking for something light and a little different!

WE HUNT THE FLAME by Hafsah Faizal

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Zafira is the Hunter, discussing herself as a man when she braves the cursed forest of the Arz to feed her people. Nasir is the Price of Death, assassinating those foolish enough to defy his autocratic father, the sultan. If Zafira was exposed as a girl, all of her achievements would be rejected; if Nasir displayed his compassion, his father would punish him in the most brutal of ways. Both Zafira and Nasir are legends in the kingdom of Arawiya, but neither of them wants to be. War is brewing, and the Arz sweeps closer with each passing day, engulfing the land in shadow. When Zafira embarks on a quest to uncover a lost artifact that can restore magic to her suffering world and stop the Arz, Nasier is sent by the sultan on a similar mission: retrieve the artifact and kill the Hunter. But an ancient evil stirs as their journey unfolds - the prize they seek may pose a threat greater than either can imagine.

My Thoughts: I’ve seen a lot of hype for this book, and I know there are people who absolutely adore it, so I was excited to finally get my hands on it. As I’ve said before, I’m a character-driven reader, and there were a few characters who I fell in love with for sure like the charming Altair. I also liked how each character on this journey served a different purpose through their personalities. So, the character element passed the vibe check. However, the world building was a little spotty for me. In some parts, the author provides vivid visual descriptors to really set the scene for you, but in other parts, it was like they jumped to a completely new surrounding out of nowhere. It just made following the journey a little harder. The plotline wasn’t anything groundbreaking, but I still enjoyed the premise of all these people, who in any other circumstance would be enemies, come to be a little rag-tag team of what you might call friends. The number of Arabic and Muslim words the author sprinkled throughout the book was a really cool aspect because I love learning about other cultures and religions that way, and it made the experience more immersive. That said, I do wish there had been more context clues provided around the words because I found myself multiple times within a 3-5 page span putting the book down to Google a word to make sure I was picturing everything correctly in my head - which made the reading experience very stop-and-go. The ending/climax of the book felt a little rushed, but overall, I enjoyed it. If you’ve had this book on your TBR list, then definitely read it! It’s probably best for someone who isn’t ready for thick-plotted fantasy, but wants to dip a toe in that pool. :)

THE SIMPLE WILD by K.A. Tucker

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Calla Fletcher wasn’t even two when her mother took her and fled the Alaskan wild, unable to handle the isolation of the extreme, rural lifestyle, leaving behind Calla’s father, Wren, in the process. Calla never looked back, and at 26, a busy Toronto life is all she knows. But when Calla learns that Wren’s days may be numbered, she knows that it’s time to make the long trip back to the remote frontier town where she was born. She braves the roaming wildlife - even the occasional outhouse, all for the chance to connect with her father: a man who, despite his many faults, she can’t help but care for. While she struggles to adjust to this rugged environment, Jonah - the unkempt, obnoxious Alaskan pilot who helps keep her father’s charter plane company operational - can’t imagine calling anywhere else home. And he’s clearly waiting to fly this city girl back to where she belongs, convinced she’s too pampered to handle the wild. Jonah is probably right, but Calla is determined to prove him wrong. Soon, she finds herself forming an unexpected bond with the burly pilot. As his undercurrent of disapproval dwindles, it’s replaced by a friendship - or perhaps something deeper? But Calla is not in Alaska to stay and Jonah will never leave. It would be foolish of her to kindle a romance, to take the same path her parents tried - and failed at - years ago. It’s a simple truth that turns out to be not so simple after all.

My Thoughts: I had a really hard time rating this book because I really enjoyed it but wouldn’t call it a 4-star necessarily, however, it’s definitely better than a 3.5-star. So, I rounded up to 3.8 lol. First I want to say, the main character, Calla, is not my favorite main character ever, but she’s the perfect main character for this book. She was actually kind of annoying tbh, but you can tell the author is making her that way for the purpose of the story, so it didn’t take away from the book’s experience. I appreciated getting a glimpse as to who Calla was in Toronto before she met her love interest in Alaska because it made the enemies to lovers trope storyline so much stronger. It also helped with understanding the dynamics of the relationship she has with her dad, Wren - which was an incredibly emotional part of the plot. The vivid imagery used to describe the rustic wilderness and plane rides was hella nice because it really pulls you into Calla’s shoes and puts the stark contrast between bustling Toronto and remote Alaska into perspective. The ending, although partly predictable, was also very satisfying, and sold me on wanting to read the next book in this series, Wild at Heart. Overall, I think this is a good book if you’re looking for a romance novel that has all the things - love, steam, banter, heartbreak, adventure, and hot Alaska Bushman/lumbersexual energy.

DAUGHTER OF THE PIRATE KING by Tricia Levenseller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Sent on a mission to retrieve an ancient hidden map - the key to a legendary treasure trove - seventeen-year-old pirate captain Alosa deliberately allows herself to be captured by her enemies, giving her the perfect opportunity to search their ship. More than a match for a ruthless pirate crew, Alosa has only one thing standing between her and the map: her captor, the unexpectedly clever and unfairly attractive first mate, Riden. But not to worry, for Alosa has a few tricks up her sleeve, and no lone pirate can stop the Daughter of the Pirate King.

My Thoughts: Picture your quintessential YA fantasy where the basic premise is about a Pirate King’s daughter carrying out a dire mission to steal a super secret treasure map for her dad - that is this book lol. It was definitely an enjoyable little jaunt through this sea-based adventure and I really did love the main characters, Alosa and Riden. Both balanced each other out really well and the PG-13 romance aspect was cute to say the least. I think my favorite part about this book is the strong female storyline involving the sirens and all-women pirate crews. Though this wasn’t the most groundbreaking fantasy I’ve ever read, it definitely kept me invested and the pages effortlessly turning. So, if you’re looking for an easy fantasy to escape into for a few hours, I would definitely recommend giving this a try! Especially if you’re someone who read/enjoyed the Fable duology and are looking for something mildly similar.

UNDERCOVER BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Braden Mack thinks reading romance novels makes him an expert in love, but he’ll soon discover that real life is better than fiction. Liv Papandreas has a dream job as a pastry chef at Nashville’s hottest restaurant. Too bad the celebrity chef owner is less than charming behind kitchen doors. After she catches him harassing a young hostess, she confronts him and gets fired. Liv vows revenge, but she’ll need assistance to take on the powerful chef. Unfortunately, that means turning to Braden Mack. When Liv’s blackballed from the restaurant scene, the charismatic nightclub owner offers to help expose her ex-boss, but she is suspicious of his motives. Cue reinforcements from the Bromance Book Club. Inspired by the romantic suspense novel they’re reading, the book club assists Liv in setting up a sting operation to take down the chef. But they’re just as eager to help Mack figure out the way to Liv’s heart - even though she’s determined to squelch the sparks between them before she gets burned.

Summary: This sequel did not disappoint, y’all! It was different enough from the first book that I never felt like I was rereading The Bromance Book Club, but similar enough premise-wise that I understood what was happening immediately. This book also follows two side characters from the first book, Mack and Liv, which I really liked because the author gave you a little taste of their personalities in the previous book, so transitioning into this new storyline was seamless. In a well-delivered enemies-to-lovers trope, we were given quality witty banter, loads of sexual tension, raw emotional moments, and cheesy scenes that make you hate that you’re loving them so much. One of my favorite things about this book was how committed the Bromance Book Club is to solving issues as a team (cue High School Musical “We’re All in this Together”) because it’s a bunch of these very powerful men being insanely vulnerable to help one another. :’) If you enjoyed the first book in this series, then I say power ahead to the second because I thoroughly enjoyed it. This storyline did touch on some topics that could be triggers for some people, so please be advised. TW: sexual harassment and assault, victim blaming, gaslighting, domestic abuse.

MALIBU RISING by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Rating: 5/5 stars
Summary: Malibu: August 1983. It’s the day of Nina Riva’s annual end-of-summer party, and anticipation is at a fever pitch. Everyone wants to be around the Rivas: Nina, the talented surfer and supermodel; brothers Jay and Hud, one a championship surfer, the other a renowned photographer; and their adored baby sister, Kit. Together the siblings are a source of fascination in Malibu and the world over - especially as the offspring of the legendary singer, Mick Riva. By midnight, the party will be completely out of control. By morning, the Riva mansion will have gone up in flames. But before that first spark in the early hours before dawn, the alcohol will flow, the music will play, and the loves and secrets that shaped the family’s generations will all come bubbling to the surface. Malibu Rising is a story about one unforgettable night in the life of a family: the night they each have to choose what they will keep from the people who made them… and what they will leave behind.

My Thoughts: TJR does it again! Her writing style is just phenomenal to say the least and it immediately sucks you into the story. Although there are multiple characters included in this book and it jumps between the past and the present, I never felt confused or overwhelmed. Every character we met truly served an individual purpose, and it was incredibly easy to connect with all of them. Specifically, the siblings - Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit. The loyalty and adoration they had for one another ran deep, and caused me to have so much more empathy for each of their stories. All of the vivid imagery used throughout the book made every element of the Malibu setting come to life and made it feel like I was standing on a sandy beach, floating in the ocean, and walking through the party of the year. Highly recommend this book if you’re looking for something that has layers and is sure to keep you invested!

WILD AT HEART by K.A. Tucker

Rating: 3.8/5 stars

Summary: Calla Fletcher returns to Toronto a different person, struggling to find direction and still very much in love with the rugged bush pilot she left behind. When Jonah arrives on her doorstep with a proposition she can’t dismiss, she takes the leap and rushes back to Alaska to begin their exciting future together. But Calla soon learns that even the best intentions can lead to broken promises, and that compromise comes with a hefty price. With Jonah gone more than he’s home, one neighbor who insists on transforming her into a true Alaskan, and another who seems more likely to shoot her than come to her aid, Calla grapples with forging her own path. This is not the future she had in mind, leaving her to fear that perhaps she is doomed to follow in her mother’s fleeing footsteps after all.

My Thoughts: Okay, so this book wasn’t super eventful by any means, but it had a pretty steady rhythm the entire time, and I could jive with that. Basically, this sequel to The Simple Wild was mainly focused on Calla’s character development as she navigates her new life in rural Alaska. As I’ve said before (I feel like I’m a broken record with this), I’m a character-driven reader, and I found her character to be kind of annoying in the first book. So, the multiple challenges she faces in this book force her to really reflect on who she is and what makes her happy. Watching Calla go through everything to find that much-needed growth was extremely satisfying because although she can be annoying, it’s so hard not to root for her. Though we still see a lot of her relationship with Jonah, this storyline isn’t really focused on them alone. We definitely get a handful of really freaking cute moments between the two to pacify anyone’s need for more scenes between Calla and her bush pilot. Not to mention, the helpless romantic in me absolutely swooned over how quickly they fell in love and how much they adore each other unapologetically. Fictional guys, amiright? :) The ending felt a little rushed, but it definitely made me ready to pick up the third book in this series!

CRAZY STUPID BROMANCE by Lyssa Kay Adams

Rating: 4/5 stars

Summary: Alexis Carlile and her cat cafe, ToeBeans, have shot to fame after she came forward as a survivor of a celebrity chef’s sexual harassment. When a new customer approaches to confide in her, the last thing Alexis expects is for the woman to claim they’re sisters. Unsure what to do, Alexis turns to the only man she trusts - her best friend, Noah Logan. Computer genius Noah left his rebellious teenage hacker past behind to become a computer security expert, and now only uses his skills for the right cause. He’s also got a secret: he’s madly in love with Alexis. When she asks for his help, he wonders if the timing will ever be right to confess his crush. Noah’s pals in The Bromance Book Club are more than willing to share their beloved “manuals” to help him go from bud to boyfriend, but he must decide if telling the truth is worth risking the best friendship he’s ever had.

My Thoughts: Yes, I am on a Bromance Book Club series binge everyone. So, sue me. This third book follows two characters that were introduced mainly in Undercover Bromance, Noah and Alexis. I loved that the author took a different approach with a friends-to-lovers trope to switch it up a little. It made rooting for both characters even easier because you could see the foundational affection they had for each other right from the start. Plus, they were both the right amount of quirky whilst unpacking some emotional family-related baggage from their past, so truly, they were a great match lol. There was, of course, a lot of romance included in the storyline - both cute and spicy. Steamier parts were kind of clumped together in the middle of the book, however, which left me wanting a more even spread of it as I continued through the last third. Though anti-misogyny, women-empowerment messaging was still included in the storyline, it felt a little more forced in some parts which made the dialogue seem a little cheesier than usual. Overall, this book got me in my feels for sure and left us on a cliffhanger at the end. So, needless to say, I will be picking up the fourth book in this series very soon. :)

DAUGHTER OF THE SIREN QUEEN by Tricia Levenseller

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Summary: Alosa’s mission is finally complete. Not only has she recovered all three pieces of the map to a legendary hidden treasure, but the pirates who originally took her captive are now prisoners on her ship. Still unfairly attractive and unexpectedly loyal, first mate Riden is a constant distraction, but now he’s under her orders. And she takes great comfort in knowing that the villainous Vordan will soon be facing her father’s justice. When Vordan exposes a secret her father has kept for years, Alosa and her crew find themselves in a deadly race with the feared Pirate King. Despite the danger, Alosa knows they will recover the treasure first… after all, she is the daughter of the Siren Queen.

My Thoughts: This book was such a cute follow-up to Daughter of the Pirate King! Though I wouldn’t say it’s as action-packed as I thought it would be, it was definitely a fast-paced and easy read. We got to see a lot of character development with Alosa and Riden that added a few new dimensions to their relationship. I also enjoyed getting more background story and page time of all the side characters who added an array of personalities to this mostly women pirate crew. I appreciated that the author spent more time giving you insight into the Siren-side of this plot. You only get a little taste of them in the first book, but this one really gives you the whole meal. The storyline picked up right where it left off from the first book which made diving into this sea-based adventure incredibly seamless. If you read and liked Daughter of the Pirate King then I definitely say continue onto this one!

TALKING AS FAST AS I CAN by Lauren Graham

Rating: 3/5 stars

Summary: In this collection of personal essays, the beloved star of Gilmore Girls and Parenthood reveals stories about life, love, and working as a woman in Hollywood- along with behind-the-scenes dispatches from the set of the new Gilmore Girls where she plays the fast-talking Lorelai Gilmore once again.

My Thoughts: I’ve been wanting to read this book of essays for a while - especially since I’ve watched the entire OG Gilmore Girls series all the way through probably three times in the last 3ish years - and Lauren Graham gave us a quality recap of her life and career. Her style of writing is so unapologetically conversational which made her personality really come through the pages. It felt like I was grabbing coffee with her as she reminisced. Though she touched on a lot of different topics, she never really went very far in depth on anything which I think is what was missing for me. There were even some paragraphs I skipped through because they didn’t feel essential to what she was talking about. My favorite parts were definitely her time at the Barn Theatre (because shout out to that little theatre in Augusta, MI - still out there doing its thang), and the journal entries she included from when they were shooting the Netflix reboot (I got goosebumps multiple times in that section). Anyway, I think that if you’re a fan of Gilmore Girls, Parenthood or just a fan of LG, you’d probably enjoy this book overall (maybe try the audio book version tho?). If you’re not, then I wouldn’t really recommend it.

2021 Book Count: 65!

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